Equity Group Foundation equips 4,949 scholars with leadership, digital skills

Equity Group Foundation has equipped 4,949 Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship scholars with leadership, life skills and career readiness through its 17th Annual Education and Leadership Congress.

The Congress, held across Dadaab, Kakuma and Nairobi from August 10 to 14, brought together 1,996 Wings to Fly scholars in Form Three and Form Four and 2,953 Form Three refugee scholars under the Elimu Scholarship Programme.

Held under the theme, “Lead, Solve, Sustain: Turning Challenges into Solutions,” the Congress sought to inspire scholars to embrace creativity, think critically and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Speaking during the Congress at Alliance Girls High School, Equity Group Holdings Plc Managing Director and CEO Dr James Mwangi urged the scholars to embrace digital technology and artificial intelligence, saying academic qualifications alone may not be enough in an increasingly digital economy.

He said young people must learn to use technology not only to consume information but also to develop solutions to challenges facing their communities.

"We should expose these young scholars to technology because they will need to do things differently from the way we did it. We need to make them aware so what we have done is as soon as they finish secondary, we are enrolling them in a programme we call am the Code so that they can help digitise things,” said Dr Mwangi.

Mwangi said the Foundation's goal was to give every scholar an equal opportunity to realise their potential regardless of their circumstances.

“As science and technology reshape the world, we are encouraging our scholars to embrace these opportunities, develop relevant skills and use technology not simply to consume, but to create solutions to the challenges facing their communities and the continent,” he said.

He noted that the Foundation's responsibility went beyond preparing scholars for academic and professional success.

“Our responsibility is not only to prepare scholars to succeed, but to inspire them to lead with integrity, solve problems with courage and creativity, and sustain the impact they create. We want every scholar to leave their school, community and country better than they found them,” he noted.

Through mentorship, leadership development and life skills sessions, the scholars strengthened their academic excellence, resilience, ethical leadership and commitment to community service.

They also engaged representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), gender champions, industry leaders, professionals and alumni, who provided guidance on education pathways and career preparation.

The Congress further focused on helping scholars navigate the national education system, build mental resilience, strengthen self-awareness and identity, and prepare for university and campus life.

Scholars from refugee communities explored how to thrive beyond displacement, while sessions on diversity and inclusion sought to strengthen their ability to navigate different environments.

For beneficiaries, the programme has also opened opportunities for further education and skills development.

"Through this programme, many of us have benefited a lot, with some of us even studying different courses abroad, becoming successful and coming back to change our societies," stated a beneficiary, Nathan Osere.

The Congress came barely a week after 121 Equity Leaders Program scholars from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo secured admission to leading global universities, with comprehensive financial scholarships valued at KSh.2.79 billion over four years.

Ambassador Sebastian Groth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya, said the partnership between KfW and Equity Group Foundation was helping young Kenyans pursue their dreams and realise their full potential.

“We support this programme because we believe that investing in young people is one of the best investments a country can make in its human potential, strengthening individuals, communities and the nation’s future,” Groth stated.

Ambassador Groth said the programme's impact went beyond academic achievement, helping to shape responsible citizens and ethical leaders.

He noted that more than 60,000 scholars had benefited from comprehensive secondary school scholarships, with a 98 per cent completion rate.

Jeremiah Kipaiyu, Kikuyu Sub-County Director of Education in Kiambu County, said the scholarship programmes were creating pathways for learners to pursue their aspirations.

“Equity Group Foundation, together with other partners, has partnered with the Ministry of Education to provide scholarships that open doors of opportunity for learners. We believe these programmes are a lifeline through which their dreams can take flight, giving them the support, confidence and opportunities they need to soar towards a brighter future,” Kipaiyu said.

Beyond secondary education, the Equity Leaders Program has supported 10,505 university scholars across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.

In addition, 1,236 scholars have secured admission to leading global universities on fully funded scholarships, including Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania.

The Foundation has also facilitated 4,039 TVET scholarships in Kenya and the DRC.

To date, 60,009 scholars across Kenya have benefited from the Wings to Fly and Elimu Scholarship programmes, receiving comprehensive scholarships and mentorship support throughout their secondary education journey.